Monday morning. The garage comes to take away the 'Loonj'. We're hoping the repairs will be done next week.While the car is being winched onto a trailer the men arrive with the new clothes dryer. The electricians also show up.
Sophie continues her schedule of ever lengthening walks.
The Old Farmer falls down the steps from his terrace. Fortunately, we're in the garden and hear him shouting for help. It was his 85th birthday yesterday. The sapeur pompiers are called. Angus brings across a garden chair and the old fellow is lifted into it. We call his daughter. He worries about his identity papers and credit cards. ' The Font' finds them then wraps him in a blanket in case he's suffering from shock. He protests but makes no attempt to move it. The Belgian lady is summoned. She was on her way to a yoga class and is dressed in a black body stocking and a yellow straw hat. She is distraught. ' Mon pauvre! Mon pauvre! ' .
The ambulance takes twenty minutes to arrive. The paramedics assess the old fellow then sedate him. I'm hugely impressed with their focused professionalism. The paramedics ask me who the lady in the body stocking is as if they're wondering whether to sedate her too. I'm presented with the clothes the old fellow had been wearing. They must have put him in a gown in the back of the ambulance. The mayor is called. Later, in the evening, we phone the hospital and discover our neighbour has broken his hip. This is not good news. They're thinking of operating as he's in great pain. A major change in this old soldiers life is coming. Tomorrow ( or possibly even this afternoon ) 'The Font' will drive the Belgian lady to the hospital.
On our pre-dinner walk Bob demonstrates his preference for muddy water in a ditch rather than fresh water in a bowl.
So passes a Monday in deepest, deepest France profonde. All of life's little victories and defeats are played out here.
24 comments:
At 85 years old, a broken hip is no joke, but one thing we know is that the rather wonderful Old Farmer does not lack determination or a zest for life, both key elements of a successful recovery. Sending best wishes to him and also to his distraught partner.
We are so sorry to hear about the Old Farmer - please give him our best wishes for a speedy recovery. We agree with Bertie that the venerable gentleman has the right attitude to life and should recover well. We should imagine that once he's had his operation he will, like Sophie, be very difficult to keep immobile. Our thoughts are with him and the Belgian lady.
tell him this dog world send its love, please.
Sending best wishes for a speedy recovery to the Old Farmer (and the Belgian Lady).
There is really never a dull moment in your village!
Oh, heck! A broken hip is really serious when you're in your 80s. Hope he is made comfortable soon - he's a determined fellow so the odds are in his favour. Lovely to see Miss Sophie out and about with her tail wagging.
All of the above comments are endorsed. Please tell the old farmer that we love hearing about his adventures and wish him a speedy recovery. As with Monsieur Bob and Mlle Sophie, he must get well.
Such a shame about the wonderfully intrepid Old Farmer. I am sorry.
Mon pauvre!! Mon pauvre!!
Oh dear so sorry to hear about the Old Farmer's fall and breaking his hip, but KNOWING him, he will face his operation with determination and a keen spirit and will be okay at the end of it all.
I do admire him so much.
After all, he has further exploits and wild adventures to go on to keep us his fans from the world over entranced.
Please give him my regards for a speedy recovery.
Angus you do crack me up...did you tell the paramedics that the Belgian lady needed sedating too???
Oh dear. Never a dull moment, huh? Our best wishes for the farmers speedy recovery. Are there any physical therapy rehabilitation centers near the village? So glad you were outside to hear his call for help.
Bonnie n Kenzie
He's strong and he's determined, God bless him.
Hopefully he'll have the surgery quickly as it will decrease the chance of deep venous thrombosis. I don't see him wanting to languish in bed post op either which is good. Thank God you were there to help him when his fall occurred. His swift entry into the medical system will work to his advantage.
Prayers for the old farmer!
Have read your blog for years and rarely comment, although, for the record, I enjoy it immensely. This morning was no different, except perhaps for a slight sadness at someone's trouble, until it sank in that the Old Old Farmer died a while back, so this is the Old Farmer--the one who kites around the countryside with his Belgian lady and hangs a star on his house. The one who makes me think, "Who would play him if a movie was made of life in Angus and the Font's village? What a character part ..." Statistically, falls are terrible for the elderly. With everyone else here, hoping that the Old Farmer's unique spirit makes him the exception to the rule.
Healing prayers for the Old Farmer. I am very sorry to hear about his fall. Glad to see you were near enough to get to him quickly, too.
Sophie looks a picture of health. Nothing like seeing your beloved out and about enjoying everything.
Was the Old Farmer taken to The Little Market Town or to The Big City? So nice of The Font to offer to transport the Belgian Lady. Sending good thoughts to deepest, deepest France Profonde...
Very sorry to hear about Msr. Old Farmer and wishing him a speedy recovery. Thank goodness that Mme Font and yourself were close by.
Very best wishes for speedy recovery to the Old Farmer. Hip fixes have improved enormously in recent years, and I hope we'll soon hear of him being up and about.
Great that there was help at hand. Poor fellow, probably no more trips in the aged van....
May the Old Farmer heal as quickly and completely as possible. I hope that his pain has been substantially eased by now. If character plays a part in recovery, he will certainly have a major advantage. Yes, thank God that you and The Font were within earshot.
Hoping so much for a complete recovery for the Old Farmer and many more adventures for him.Neighbors like you and The Font are priceless.
Prayers and best wishes for the speediest recovery ever from NH for the old farmer and his lovely Belgian lady friend. Hard times are easier together. Do they know that they have world wide fans?
You are the kindest neighbors. Your pups are looking wonderful! Pam
Wishing for the Old Farmer a pain free recovery.
Oh, poor Old Farmer! A broken hip so often a precursor in the aged of worse to come. He will be in my prayers - if anyone come overcome this, I believe he can. Tell him he has unknown friends who care about him. And the Belgian dear too. You and The Font are the very soul of kindness. Ditch water akin to the finest wine for canines! xo
It’s very disconcerting to not find a “new post.” I worry easily and hope all is well.
Was sad to read about the Old Farmer. My thoughts and prayers are with him.
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